NWMCA Constitution

1. The group shall be known as the Northwestern Minnesota Counselors Association

2. The purpose of the group shall be:
   1. To promote better counseling and guidance of our youth. 
   2. To promote the profession by encouraging high professional standards for certification. 
   3. To promote counseling and guidance through in-service training. 
   4. To provide for a sharing of ideas and to promote research among those who are counselors in our area. 
   5. To provide a cooperative group through which area-wide counseling and guidance activities may be undertaken. 
   6. To promote a professional code of ethics as proposed by the American Counselors Association (ACA). 
   7. To promote the professional welfare of the counselors of our area. 
3. The membership will be open to:
   1. Persons from all levels of education - elementary through post-secondary. 
   2. Any person, whether or not affiliated with schools whose work involves young people and who is interested in the counseling and guidance function. 
4. Dues:

   Dues shall be set by majority vote of the Executive Board at their fall meeting.

5. Affiliation:

   The Northwestern Minnesota Counselors Association will be affiliated with the Minnesota School Counselors Association and Minnesota Association for Counseling and Development.

6. Officers:
   1. The organization shall have the following officers:
      • President 
      • President Elect 
      • Secretary / Treasurer 
      • Two Directors-at-Large 
   2. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of members in the spring of those years requiring an election. 
   3. The Past President shall be a member of the Executive Board. 
7. Officers:
   • All officers shall be elected for two-year terms. 
   • The two Directors-at-Large shall be elected in alternate years. 
   • The Executive Board has power to fill any unexpired term except President when President Elect moves up. 
   • A NominationCommittee shall be appointed by the Executive Board and announced at the winter meeting of the general membership.  The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members who are members of the association-one Board member and two non-Board members.  The Nominationg Committee shall present a slate of nominees to be voted on by the genersal membership at the spring meeting.
   • Any member may offer nominations for the Executive Board to the Nominating Committee.  Nominations may also be made from the floor at the spring meeting.
8. Meetings:

   There shall be at least three meetings each year; fall, winter, and spring. 

9. This constitution may be amended by a simple majority of total membership. 

   Minnesota Law, Chapter 283, "Official Records-Collection, Security, and Dissemination," specifically forbids the use of data on individuals for other than intended use. Penalties or misuse of the data, as specified in the legislation, provides for civil action for damage sustained by a person suffering damages.